Hydraulically operated reciprocating sickle mechanism



March 4, 1952 W. Hmmm HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED RECIPROCATING SICKLE MECHANISM Filed March 26, 1948 4L Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Eaf/ PV Holmes LM WMZ ATTRNEY vlwmh 4:, @952 E. W. HOLMES 2588,@03

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED RECIPROCATING SICKLE MECHANISM Filed March 2e, 1948 4 sheets-sheet 2 NVENTOR.

Earl WHO/mes ATTRNEY Mmdx 4, 1952 E. w. HOLMES 298,@@3

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED RECIPROCATING SGICKLE MECHANISM Filed March 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nez/'MAL f INVEN TOR. O /4 l jk/Q' /4 Earl W50/m65 O Q BY Patented Mar. 4, 1952 HYDRAULICA'LLY JOPERATED RECIIRDCAT-l ING SICKLE MECHANISM` Earl.W.` Holmes, Burlingtom- Washgassignor to Hall `Machine `and YIron Works, Inc., Mount UNITEDT` STATES PATENT OFFC;

Vernon, i Washf` Application March 26, 1948, SerialNo. 17,345

9 Claims. (Cl. 56-25) Numerous-mechanical means have been rem-,

ployed in the lpast to drive mower sickles used'for` harvesting cropsandfor cutting weeds along the` sides ofhighways and railroadlrightszof way.`

For the latter applicationA the sickle mayibesupported-at the end of anadjustable arm at a coni siderablejdistance` from the =drivingshaft. Various combinations of -mechanical velementstvsuch f as pulleysyA belts', chains, levers and linkage bars, have lbeenfdevised to transmit the power vfrom-saidremote.shaftfto the'sickle operating mechanismcusedto reciproa` shafts; gearing,` sprockets, x

cate the sickle'blade slidably mounted upon fthe fsickie bar;

` Such mechanical power transmissionmeans 're-1 i n quire considerable operating and maintenance:

attention, and have beenfound torbe inadequate and impractical forl fast lheavy-duty .l mobile service,v especially where the sickle is required to.` cutv rankgrowths of brushor to trimoverhang.`

ing tree branches: i

The present invention overcomes thedeiiciena` cies and limitations ofsuch mechanica-l power transmission means byvcombining a small yetf powerful -hydraulic motor withthe sickleA oper-fating mechanismfthereby providing a directdrive that greatly increasesthe cuttingocapacity and cutting rate of the sickle, and eliminates all move .i

ing mechanical elements 'as partsosaid poweru transmission means; which often"becomeen-u` tangled with the cutbrush andbranchesw The" associated hydraulic system suppliesK `adequate power to said motor through two simple'conduit runsaand provides ngertipcontrol by `meansof a Vsuitablev combination .fofA throttle. valve`v and` relief valve. .l

The'invention: is particularly characterized in theclassdescribed by: y

` Anadjustable cutternsickle mechanismassemv bly that is adapted.to ,be;removablymounted as` a unit Vat theend of a strong and rigid adjustable .telescoping support vframe that facilitates-1 moving the cutter sickle to various positions `for -1 cutting. Vway-side ,-.brushand overhanging tree.

boughs; Y

A cutter sickle mechanism. that is directly driven. by a hydraulicmotonwhich maybe remotely and manually controlledby suitable valve A means,

Mechanism means Athatcause the .cutter sickle, to vibrate transversely of its. length in order to` facilitate its operation when cutting.` heavy` growths of brush and overhangingtree branches;

A combination Aof partswhichmcoaot tocontrol` and transmit power hydraulically from a remote 2 sourceof mechanical power to the driving mecha nism usedto reciprocate the blade of an adjustable cutter sickle; and

Various `other advantageous parts and combinations of parts thatgwill be discerned by those skilled in the art.

The novel `construction and combination of component parts that coact in a preferred form of the invention to achieve `the aforesaid char.-

oacteriaing features `of the invention, aire de scribed `in the .following specication, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings andembraced in the appendedclaims.

In. the drawings; A

Figure 1 is an elevation. of the weed and brush, cutter disclosed in my aforesaid copendingapplii cation as viewed from the rearoi the-truck-with the cutter mechanism plant swung crosswise, and

with the support frame and. a .preferred embodi?` ment of therins-tantcutter sickle invention .in`

the cutter sickleby meanspf the.invention for Y. use in. cuttingheavy brushand; overhanging tree branches.

Fig. 4 is. a ,plan view `ofthe mechanismmot` Fig. 3;

` Fig; 5 isa plan view of a fragmentary portion of the sickle bar and reciprocating blade to a still larger scale;H

Fig.;6 is `a section takenx on :brokenline'l-6` f of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a planview of a fragmentary portion of another type of blade; i

Fig.8 is an end elevationof --the combination skid and diverter Vshoesecured to the end ofthe i sickle bar viewed .as indicated by .broken line- `8-8 of Fig. 4, but toa larger-scale;`

Fig. 9 is a plan viewofthe sickle support and operating mechanismsshown associated with eer-` tain other coacting elements to a larger "scale t thanin Fig. 4;

Fig. i 10 is a sectionalelevation-tekenen broken;I

Fig.` 11 is atrend elevation of-the same with section through the cutter sickle taken on broken.:

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the hydraulic motivating and control system;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a preferred control valve unit for the hydraulic motor together with the associated operating lever and structural support;

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section through the control valve and associated relief valve units taken on broken line lli-I4 of Fig. 13 to a larger scale; and

Fig. 15 is a section taken on broken line |5-l5 of Fig. 14, with the relief valve removed.

Like numerals and letters of reference indicate like parts ythroughout the several gures of the drawings.

M echamsm of mobile weed and brash cutter drawings, the numeral I9 indicates an automotive truck as the mobile carrier for the cutter mechanism unit 20, the component members of which co-act to expeditiously position and operate the cutter sickle while the truck is being driven forward. Said cutter mechanism unit preferably is assembled upon a foundation frame 2l so it may be removably secured to bed frame channels 19e of the truck.

A turntable 22 has its lower annular member secured to the aforesaid foundation frame and its upper member'supports turntable frame 23, with which base frame 24 of the cutter mechanism plant is so associated by suitable rolling means (not shown) that it may be slidably adjusted lengthwise of said turntable frame by means of hydraulic actuator 36. This and each of the other such actuators shown, comprises a cylinder, piston, piston rod and stuffing gland, and is provided with means at the end of the cylinder and at the end of the piston rod for fastening to suitable coacting elements for the activation of the movable member with which it is associated. Activator 26, for example, coacts with bracket 21 and with lever 28 secured to the upper turntable member to swing the cutter mechanism plant as a whole to and from its operating position crosswise of the truck bed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Internal combustion engine unit 29 drives geartype hydraulic pumps 3| and 32 through the intermediacy of twin speed reducing unit 3B and flexible couplings 30e, 3Ic and 32e, respectively, to supply the uid under pressure required to operate and control the hydraulic activatorsand hydraulic sickle motorv48, respectively. Storage tank 33 supplies a system of conduits and valves, which connect with said activators. Said storage tank also supplies the system of conduits 'and valves used in connection with motor 48, as shown in the diagram of Fig. 12 and hereinafter explained.

Telescoping support frame 31 preferably consists of anouter frame '31j and an inner frame 31g associated therewith and slidable therein. Shaft 31s is a part of frame 31j and provides a swinging support at one end thereof by means of bearings 24h secured to an end of base frame 24. Hydraulic activator 38 and coacting bracket elements serve to position frame 31g relative to frame 31f as operating conditions may require.

Activator 43 and the mechanism elements associated therewith provide means for swinging the aforesaid support frame into various vertical angular positions relative to base frame 24. Said mechanism elements may consist of chain quadrant 4I xedly secured to frame 31j, chain 42 and braced bracket 44 Xedly secured to said base frame.

The adjustable cutter sickle mechanism assembly, with which the present invention is primarily concerned, comprises a base member 46 secured to the end of frame 31g, a sickle support and driving mechanism 41 swingingly supported upon said base member, and cutter sickle 49.

The vertical angular movements of sickle 49 and associated mechanism 41 relative to telescoping support frame 31, may be accomplished by means of a mechanism combination comprising:

Hydraulic activator 50 secured at one end to bracket 50c, which in turn is ixedly secured to frame 31g; heavy roller chain 5| attached at one end to the piston rod of said activator and at the other end to a half sprocket Wheel 52, which is secured to element 41C of mechanism 41; and guide member 53, that also is secured to frame 31g, and which is adapted to serve as an alignment guide for said pistonV rod and attached chain, whereby the activator can transmit both push and pull forces to said half sprocket Wheel. Aperture 41e may be provided in armv 41e as a passage way for said guide finger in order to increase the upward angular swing of the sickle support and driving mechanism. See Fig. 4.

Control valve units designated in Fig. 2 as V26, V36, V38, V43, and V5() are combined to form valve assembly V as a part of the aforesaid'hydraulic system, and these enable an operator in seat 58 to control activators 26, 35, 38, 43 and 50 respectively.

vThe foregoing description refers to the principal mechanism members that coact to adjustably position and advance the cutter sickle through the growth of Weeds, brush and overhanging tree branches, which must be cut by the sickle itself. The hydraulically operated vibrating sickle mechanism and related apparatus associated therewith that comprise the instant invention, now will be described.

Cutter sickle mechanism assembly The cutter sickle .assembly comprising base member 46, sickle support and driving mechanism 41, and sickle 49, as hereinbefore stated, is a separable operating entity, and preferably is removably secured as such to the end of telescoping support frame 31 and its coactingmechanism by means of stud bolts 45s, chain bolt 51h and unions in conduit runs 48a and 48h. See Figs. 3 and 4. This permits the assembly to be removed and replaced-by another quickly in case of damage, or for the periodic inspection and maintenance of both the assembly and the strong and rigid telescoping support frame that facilitates moving the cutter sickle to various heavyduty operating positions. The base member provides a bearing 46a in which shaft 41s is journaled, and upon which the annular end of sickle support arm 41e is swingingly mounted coaXially with said shaft. Crank disk 4117 may be xedly secured upon a projecting end portion of said shaft, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Arimll'Tc iis provided with-1an upwardiydisposed@ angle bracket 411i that is joined by diagonal brace 'ldfto'arrupwardly disposedwbraced'bracket Ht u from `skid shoe 41e, the `rear end of which is fixed-` ly *secured to said arm. Bolt 41j, threaded into bracket 4617 of the basel memberr andi. secured thereto by locknut 4U', may be usedlto pivotaily` support thefforwardendof the combinedisupport armfandfskid shoe coaxiallywwith shaftA'ls; it also l holds 'thefannular-portionof-iarm: Mc in placer on bearinglll 6a.' o

Hydraulic motor-M481 preferably. is of the A bal-f ancedigear-type, landmaybe supported withfits shaft inlaxial'falignment` with shaft 41s by means Y of bracket l' 46c 'i of 1 theizbases. member. Flexible coupling-:A80iprovides a direct drive `connection betweenlthese'raxially alignedzshafts. s Valve unit Vim-provides a remote `control for the operation of said motor, as hereinafterv explained.

Sickle bar 49h is secured to sickle head piece 41h by means of its own bolts and also by those of 'guide member 41g.- `lnotherguide member 41g secured-to said-head piece slidably positionsa cross V-head 4131, which is aixed to reciprocating sickle blade 49k. Apertured lugs Muon said head pieceJ articulate with similar lugs on support arm 41c"and1through which bolt 41u; passesrthus providing a transverse pivotalsupport for the sickle.:

head piece and associated elements. Another skid 'shoe 411C is secured tothe bottom of said head` piecei WBoltand` nut 41m', diagonally positioned Y betweenYf-upwardlydisposed=ang1e bracket Hr of arms 41e and lugs 41d of the headpiece,provide f meansffor'adjusting the angular position of said head piece in relation to saidsupport arm, andA thereby for adjusting the transverse angularposi tion ofthe sickleban upon which are mounted the reciprocating sickle blade,f.guides; 49g therefor-andingers 49j-, which cooperate .with said blade 'to do the actual cutting. f-

Crank S4171 of crank disk Mb drives `the sickle bladel by'means ofpitrnanvfllp and the usualball and socket'connectionHq` to cross head ltlrc.` Considerable strength: and lateral stability arefimparted to the sickle bladelby `means of the attached'blade lbardlt", which is held inslidable. 1 position-by guides 49g andis secured to crosshead.

d'lccglas shown best in Figs; e, 5, `6 and 9. A combination skidand diverter shoe 09s is secured to` the'outerfend'of vthe sickle bar.

The" form of"` sickle blade shownwinv detail inv Figsl and 5 is suitable for cutting heavy growths: g offrankfweeds and light brush, but Ilhavefound 1 that: mu'c'h "better:4 results l may` be: obtained:` when cutting heavyrbrush and overhanging tree" branches by-using the form of sickle bladeshown in1Fig.F7. Inz that case the cutting action is morer comparable with what is commonly known `as;`

sawingratherithan cutting;

Vibrating cutter sickle An important further improvement is 'achieved for such heavy-duty cutting by imparting lateralVV vib'rationstoV the cutter sickle as a whole, as illus-` rated"in"Fig..3d. The type of Vibration therein indicated-is for a sickle that is free to" vibrate.

Tie'position of the nodes and antinodes,'and also the amplitude of the vibrations, may changeconi siderably under actual operating conditions.

A preferredV simplemeans of mpartingsuch vibrations to thecutter sickle may comprise `a plurality of threaded plugs 41o that are adapted tot tightly-into tapped apertures in crank disk Ubin Itis desirable `to have the arrangement such that` .when` all.: of ,.the: plugs; are in position, as i sho'wnin Figf10,the vibration will be negligibler This isthe preferred adjustment when the`fapf paratus is to be used for sometimeto cut only Y weeds and light brush. Whenheavy` brush and f tree limbs are to'be cut a sufficient numberof l said plugs are removed to unbalance thecrank disk enough toimpart the amplitude of vibration in a free sickle that experience has demonstrated to be best for cutting the type of growth? expected forth'e ensuingperiod of operation-f Obviouslyg*` typefof sickle blade hereinbefore mentioned, espek ciallyfwhenlcutting brush,ipartly because the vib`1` brations'shakeV the cutportions clear of thesicklel so they 'arelnot again cut thereby, and partly be`-f.y cause the vibrations enable the sickle'in eiecttov u better saw its way through heavy branches; @Any weed or brush portionsthat will pass between 1 adjacent projecting fingers '49j of Ythe sickle bar: H can be cut quickly bysaid vibrating sickle as the mobile 1 carrierpushes it through. the. heaviestf: tangles of jungle-like growths.`

Hydraulic systemfor sickle motor` The lpreferred motivating` and control VsystemH for transmitting powerhydraulically` to^'sickie moto1""48," from remotely 'locatedl engine 29, is shown diagrammatically' in'Fi`g`;"l2. This da gram clearly indicates `the several'conduitruns' required', but' except for `certain special portions they have beenomittedfrom the otheriigures of the drawings for the sake of clarity.` It will be understood that each conduit section betweenthe parts connected thereby may `consist of all neces" saryM lengths of pipe; tubing and appropriate ttings'required in'a system ofthis kind, which regularly carries a suitable reiinedmineral oil under 'an operating pressure of approximately 1200 lb." per sq. in. for a motor speed of about'lGOO R. PiM. l:

The aforesaid refined `mineraloil should have a viscosity` that is suitable for the weather condi tions encountered. Such an oil having a viscosity of apprpxirnately seconds at 100 deg.

as'measured by'a Sayboltfuniversal viscosirneterr" hasfound to give satisfactory results inthis loc Theihydraulicfsystemrior the sickle motormayfl bea separateoperatin'gentity with itsown source *f of power; such as a gasoline 'engine not shownin the diagram, a geartype pump 32 of the required capacity, 'and a storage `reservoir 33; or itmay work in 'combination with the vhydraulic system# used: for themotivation and control of the actua-f tors hereinbe'fore lmentioned, wherein a commonvv 'i gasoline engine 29 drivesione separate pump .3I`i

for said activators 'and' another pump-32 for theV ff sickle motor through-'the intermediacy of a twin`- reducing gear' 3Q, `as-hereinbeiore explained See Fig.' 2. In'thewlatter casefreservoir 33, like engine i 29, *ma'yfbe `common -to"both Vhydraulic systemsf The'drawings'of this application arebased upon such associated use of the two said systems.

Movingvalve V48 to its neutral position stops i sickle motor 48, but with pump 32 operating duid may# continue to ow from storage tank 33` through suction conduit 32s, comprising a comi bination of suitablezpipe fittings and hose, into thesuction side rof pump 32; `thence.througlflfpresf 7 sure conduit 32d, comprising a suitable combination of fittings, tubing and a short length of hose near the pump, into pressure inlet and relief valve unit Vr from which it may flow through valve V48 into cross Va: and through return conduit 331 back'into the top of tank 33, thereby reducing the power input to the pump to the minimum required to maintain circulation of the uid.

This idling flow circuit is provided by the construction of the control valve and associated relief valve unit shown clearly in Figs. 14 and 15. Valve body casting ol provides chambers v3. v and cl2 by means of partitions v8 and v9. Ports cl3 connect chambers v3 and 12H0, and ports vll connect chambers 'U3 and cl2 through a central bore for valve piston v2, which is provide with restrictions U14 and UIB for the control of fluid flow through said ports. Pressure fluid is supplied through conduit 32d to relief valve unit Vr, which may be clamped securely against gasket v4 to valve body 11| by means of through bolts and nuts v5 and spacer pipes o6.

Piston valve v2 may be held in either of two main operating position by means of depressions v1 used cooperatively with a ball, spring and plug assembly o1. Lever L, assembled with the valve unit upon support bracket S, together with pivoted link L3 may be provided for the manual operation ofsaid piston valve.

With the valve piston in its neutral position as shown in Fig. 14, it will be seen that uid may flow from chamber r3 of the abutting relief valve unit through apertures 73' and v3 into chamber v3 of'valve V48, thence through ports m3, around valve restriction U14 and into chamber vl 0, from which it ows through the nipple in tapped aperture v3 into cross Vx and back to tank 33 through conduit 33T, as hereinbefore stated.

When it is desired to operate the aforesaid sickle motor, piston v2 of valve V48 is moved to its out position, whereupon ports vll rst are opened and then ports @I3 are closed. This prevents the pressure fluid supplied by pump 32 from returning to tank 33, but permits it to iiow from pressure chamber v3 through port vl1, around valve restriction 1218 and into chamber cl2, thence -through outlet opening cl2 and conduit run 448a and associated parts to sickle motor 48. The fluid discharge from said motor may be returned to tank 33 direct through conduit run 48h and its associated parts, as indicated in the diagram of Fig. 12. Obviously when the piston of said valve is returned to its neutral position port `-ol3 is'opened and port vl1 is closed so the ow of pressure fluid again is diverted from the sickle motor back into tank 33 by way of conduit 331.

,V Byonly moving piston valve v2 only partly out valve unit V48 may be operated manually as a throttle valve to secure any sickle motor speed from Zero to maximum that may be required under various noperating conditions to produce optimumV cutting results with minimum wear-and tear of the equipment.

In addition to this manual control of the sickle motor, relief Valve R of unit Vr' maybe used to perform the special function of automatically regulating the rate of flow of the pressure fluid through said motor within reasonable limits, thus compensating for the variations in speed of engine 29 caused by changes in load due to the operation of the hydraulic activators or variations in the power requirements of the cutter sickle. This may be accomplished by so adjusting spring r1 by means of screw f8 that under normal oper- Y for conduit run 48h.

ating conditions the pressure uid of chamber r3 transmitted through ducts r2 and r4 forces ball valve rl from its seat slightly so a portion of the fluid from pump 32 may ilow through drilled apertures r9 into discharge duct rl, thence through return conduits 33T and 331- back into the storage tank.

Then in case the engine speed and fluid pressure increase, the relief Valve opens wider and permits a greater proportion of the fluid to return to tank 33; and conversely when the engine speed and fluid pressure decrease said Valve closes somewhat, thereby allowing a smaller proportion of the fluid to return to said tank.v In case the cutter sickle becomes stalled for any reason, which would stop the flow of fluid through motor 48, valve R should open suioiently to permit the entire flow of pressure uid from pump 32 to return to the storage tank.

. Telescoping tube assemblies In order to provide for the in and out adjustments of frame 31g with reference to frame 3U and yet carry the driving fluid to and from cutter sickle motor 48, telescoping tube assemblies 54 and 55 may be provided in conduit runs 48a and' 48h, respectively. The frictional resistance to fluid flow of return conduit run 43h preferably is reduced by using tubing, piping and fittings between said motor and storage tank 33, and for that reason telescoping tube assembly 55 is made larger in diameter than its associate assembly 54,V

although similar in construction.

Assembly 54 may comprise an outer tube 54a having a stufng gland 54g at one end and a suitable fitting 54,1 for connecting it in conduit run '48a at its opposite end, plus an inner tube 54h that is adapted to slide within said outer tube and stuffing gland, and which terminates at its cuter end in aV pipe fitting of conduit run 48a to motor 48. Likewise, assembly 55 may comprise respectively a larger outer tube 55a, stuiiing gland 55g, fitting 55j and inner tube 55h, which terminates at its forward end in a pipe fitting Support brackets 56 may removably secure said outer tubes to a side channel of frame 31j, and bracket 51 may removably secure the forward ends of the aforesaid inner tubes to the corresponding side channel of frame 31g. The tube sections 54a and 55a are secured by bracket means 56 to a side channel 31 f of telescopic frame 31. The tube sections 54h and 55h are secured by bracket means 51 to part 31g of telescopic frame 31 and fit slidably and telescopically within the respective tube sections54a and 55a. Thus the telescoping tube assemblies are extensible and contractible along with the frame 31.

It will be noted that engine 29, uid storage tank 33, pump 32, relief valve unit Vr', control valve unit V48, telescoping tube assemblies 54 and 55, cutter sickle drive motor 48, and conduitV runs 32s, 32d, 331', 48a, 48a', 48h and 48h comprise a complete system, whose parts coact to control and transmit power hydraulically from the remotely located engine to the driving mechanism used to reciprocate the blade of the adjustable cutter sickle.

The preferred form of the invention herein disclosed has demonstrated outstanding and greatly improved ability as a cutting sickle element for heavy-duty mobile weed and brush cutters, but it will be understood that the drawings and description thereof are illustrative only and are not to be construed as restricting the invention 9 to this one embodiment. Those skilled in the art will understand that various equivalent parts and changes in their arrangement may be substituted for the construction herein shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

The following is claimed as new and subject to protection by Letters Patent:

1. In a mobile weed and brush cutter, an adjustable support frame, a base member secured to an end portion of said support frame, a substantially horizontal shaft carried by said base member, a flexible coupling attached to said shaft, a hydraulic motor axially aligned with said shaft and directly connected by said flexible coupling with said shaft, and a cutter sickle assembly pivoted for vertical swinging movement about an axis coincident with the axis of said shaft, said cutter sickle assembly having a sickle driven from said shaft.

2. In a mobile weed and brush cutter, an adjustable support frame, a base member secured to an end portion of said support frame, a substantially horizontal shaft carried by said base member, a flexible coupling connected with the rear end of said shaft, a hydraulic motor axially aligned with said shaft and directly connected by said flexible coupling with said shaft, crank means carried by the forward end of said shaft, a cutter sickle assembly pivoted for vertical swinging movement about said shaft, said cutter sickle assembly including a reciprocable sickle, and a pitman connecting said crank means with said sickle.

3. In a mobile weed and brush cutter, a cutter sickle assembly having a recprocable sickle, a driven crank disc carried by said cutter sickle assembly and having a crank member connected with said sickle for reciprocating the same, and Weights removably connected with the peripheral portion of said crank disc, whereby the amplitude of vibration of said crank disc and the cutter sickle assembly connected therewith can be varied.

4. In a mobileweed and brush cutter, a frame, a substantially horizontal driven shaft carried by said frame, a sickle bar pivoted for vertical swinging movement about said shaft, a sickle reciprocably supported by said sickle bar, a crank disc secured to said shaft, a plurality of weights removably connected with the peripheral portion of said crank disc whereby said crank disc can be dynamically unbalanced to set up vibrations for transversely vibrating said sickle bar, a crank pin on said crank disc, and pitman means connecting said crank pin and said sickle.

5. In a mobile weed and brush cutter, an adjustable support frame, a base member removably secured to and end portion of said support frame, a substantially horizontal shaft carried by said base member, a cutter sickle assembly pivoted for vertical swinging movement about said shaft and having a sickle driven from said shaft, a hydraulic motor mounted on said base member and directly connected with said shaft. a quadrant attached to said cutter sickle assembly, a flexible member removably connected with said quadrant for pivotally moving said cutter sickle assembly, guide means supporting said flexible member and terminating in a guide plate which extends over said quadrant in close proximity thereto, said guide means and said guide plate providing transverse support for said flexible member whereby either a push or a pull may be exerted by said flexible member on said quad- 10 rant, power means connected with said flexible member for moving the same and hydraulic conduit means detachably connected with said hydraulic motor.

6. In a mobile weed and brush cutter. a .support frame, a substantially horizontal driven shaft carried by said support frame, a cutter sickle assembly pivoted for vertical swinging movement about said shaft, a quadrant attached to said cutter sickle assembly and having an arcuate toothed peripheral portion concentric to said shaft, a link belt secured to said quadrant and operable on the arcuate toothed portion thereof, a push and pull member connected with said link belt, and guide means supporting said push and pull member and said link belt whereby either a push or a pull can be exerted through said link belt and terminating in a guide plate which extends over said toothed quadrant in close proximity to the teeth thereof, on said quadrant.

7. In a moblie weed and brush cutter, a longitudinally extensible and contractiblef support frame, a cutter sickle assembly removably and adjustably connected with the outer end portion of said support frame, a hydraulic motor carried by said cutter sickle assembly, fluid pressure supply means remote from said hydraulic motor, and telescopic tube conduit means carried by said longitudinally extensible and contractable support frame and connecting said fluid pressure supply means with said hydraulic motor.

8. In a mobile weed and brush cutter, a longitudinally extensible and contractable support frame mounted for vertical swinging movement, a substantially horizontal shaft carried by the outer end portion of said support frame, sickle bar means pivoted for vertical swinging movement on said shaft, a sickle reciprocably sup-` ported by said sickle bar means, sickle reciprocating means connecting said sickle `with said shaft, a hydraulic motor carried by said support frame and directly connected with said shaft, hydraulic pump means remote from said hydraulic motor, and telescopic tube means carried by said longitudinally extensible and contractable support frame and connecting said ,hydraulic pump means and said motor.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base frame, a support frame swingingly connected at one end with said base frame, cutter sickle operating and vibrating mechanism adjustably associated with the other end of said support frame and including a crank disc carrying adjustable weight means, a sickleibar, a cutter sickle carried by said sickle bar and driven by said mechanism, a hydraulic motor associated with said mechanism and delivering power thereto for operating and transversely vibrating said sickle bar and said cutter sickle, and hydraulic system means for motivating and controlling said motor.

EARL W. HOLMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,535,004 White Apr. 21,1925 1,662,607 Hildebrand Mar. 13, 1928 1,953,394 Clapper Apr. 3, 1934 1,958,405 Anthoney et al. May 15, 1934 2,190,161 Moyer Feb. 13, 1940 2,324,563 Custenborder July 20, 1943 

